Subaru folded his arms and leaned slightly forward, a hint of curiosity glinting in his eyes. He took a brief moment to glance around the room, measuring the atmosphere, before finally voicing the question that had been nagging at him. "So, Roswaal... What happened on your end? Anything noteworthy during these three months? Any developments that might surprise us or shift our plans?"
Roswaal gently clasped his hands together, tilting his head slightly with his usual theatrical smile, the corners of his lips curling upward in that familiar, maddening way. "Nothing particularly dramatic, I must say, Subaru-kunn~ After your group left the capital, I accompanied Emilia-sama to a conference. It was held with a few high-ranking nobles and included Crusch Karsten from the esteemed Karsten family. Several influential figures—some expected, some not—chose to attend as well."
Subaru's eyes widened a bit, his brows furrowing as a memory flickered to the surface. "Ah... That's right. Crusch-san did invite both Emilia and me to a formal discussion. But I was already on the road when the invitation came, chasing leads and trying to secure help. So I didn't go... Do you think that was rude of me, just disappearing like that?"
Emilia tilted her head gently, her silver hair catching the light as she let out a quiet sigh tinged with disappointment. "Honestly, yes. Crusch-san seemed genuinely disheartened when she heard you had already left Lugnica. She had hoped to speak with you directly, maybe even form some kind of alliance. She wanted to offer help, to stand by us. But since you were gone, there wasn't much more we could do on that front."
She paused a moment, as if weighing her next words carefully. "Felt's faction also expressed interest in joining forces. Apparently, Reinhard has strong connections in Kararagi that could've been useful. But we had to decline that offer too. Felt was clearly eager to participate, but without you there... the meeting never came to pass. Still, I think it would mean something if you at least showed gratitude to those who extended their hands. A simple 'thank you' can go a long way, Subaru."
Subaru lowered his head slightly in thought, his fingers drumming lightly against his arm. A long breath escaped him as he turned to meet Emilia's gaze again. "Yeah... You're right. I should've handled that better. I was already planning to return to the capital anyway, so I'll take the opportunity to meet with them properly. Show some courtesy, make things right. So... Roswaal, anything else happen after those meetings?"
Roswaal's eyes flicked toward Frederica and Petra, a thoughtful glint in his gaze. "Life at the mansion was... challenging without Rem. We were short-staffed, emotionally strained. That's why our former head maid, Frederica, was asked to return. Her experience and composure have been invaluable."
He gestured subtly toward Petra with a smile that hinted at pride. "Petra also expressed a strong desire to work here. She approached Ram herself and asked to be given a chance. Ram found her determination acceptable, and with her consent, I approved it. Petra's enthusiasm and dedication brought much-needed warmth back into the halls of this place."
Frederica took a step forward, her posture poised and dignified as she offered a graceful bow. Her voice carried a calm strength. "I am Frederica Baumann. As Roswaal-sama mentioned, I've resumed my role as head maid. It is a pleasure to meet you once again, young master. I trust we can work together to restore the harmony of the mansion."
Subaru nodded lightly and raised a hand in greeting, his lips curving into a polite smile. "Natsuki Subaru. I'm counting on you. Let's do our best. I'm always open to cooperation—as long as it helps everyone feel at home again."
Petra stepped forward too, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement. Her eyes shone with a warm, almost childlike sincerity. "Petra Leyte. Subaru-nii, you already know me, so I probably don't need to say this... but I'm really, really happy we'll be working together now. I'll give it my all, just like before!"
From where she stood, Petra turned and waved cheerfully to Meili, who stood a bit farther off. The smaller girl returned the wave with a barely perceptible nod and a reserved glance, her usual stoic expression softening just a bit.
Subaru smiled at the sight and let out a quiet, steadying breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Alright. If that's everything, I'd like to end this meeting here. I need a bit of time to gather my thoughts... and maybe take a short walk around the mansion to clear my head."
Roswaal stood up with a flourish, his cloak sweeping to one side as he made a flamboyant gesture with his hand. "Quite right, Subaru-kunn~ Then let this be the end of our meeting, for now. Please, rest well. We have long days ahead, filled with challenges and choices. I suspect we'll need all the strength we can muster."
Subaru gave a slight nod and turned toward the door, thoughts already spinning as he contemplated what came next. The days ahead would be difficult—he knew that much. But at least, for this moment, there was peace in the halls of the mansion, and that was something worth holding on to.
As everyone slowly drifted away to their rooms, Subaru turned to Emilia, his voice soft as he called for Puck to join them. Together, the three made their way toward Beatrice's Forbidden Library. The corridors stretched endlessly around them, filled with the faint rustle of curtains and the distant creaks of old wood. The silence carried a tension that matched Subaru's wary thoughts. Yet the library, as always, greeted them with its dim glow and mysterious scent of parchment and magic.
Inside, Beatrice, Hikari, Subaru, Emilia, and Puck gathered. Beatrice perched on a small chair beside Subaru, her golden eyes locked on the book in her lap. Hikari, with her usual quiet demeanor, lingered in a shadowy corner, pretending to read but clearly listening. Subaru let out a steadying breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking.
"Mili, while I was gone… did Roswaal do anything strange? Did he make things difficult for you, or say anything to make you uncomfortable? And Puck—did he interfere with you somehow? Tamper with your sleep or mess with your mana?"
Puck hovered closer, his tail swishing slightly, eyes narrowed. "As Subaru guessed, Roswaal placed a spell on the mana stone I usually rest in. A sort of seal that blocks mana from flowing properly. Fortunately, Emilia and I crafted another stone as a backup. That's where I've been hiding, so for now, there's no immediate danger. But it was close."
At that instant, Subaru heard Flugel's voice slip into his mind like a blade of cold wind. "Don't drop your guard. Roswaal might still try another spell to suppress the crystal. He always hides a contingency plan."
Subaru exhaled a weary sigh and glanced at Emilia, worry creasing his brow. "And what about you, Mili? Has he said or done anything else that upset you?"
Emilia's violet eyes grew distant as she searched her memory. "Hmm… Ah… Roswaal's been making cutting comments. Especially during our council with Crusch-san, or when other nobles were present. Crusch-san wasn't taken in by it, but some nobles began leaning his way. He tried to undermine me with subtle jabs, like he wanted me to doubt myself. I tried to ignore it, but… it's draining."
Subaru clenched his fists, shadows playing across his face. He knew Roswaal's previous schemes had been foiled, but the man's ambition and cunning were far from extinguished. The possibility of a new plot forming weighed heavily on Subaru's mind.
Puck drifted nearer to Beatrice, eyeing Subaru with a blend of skepticism and curiosity. "So, Subaru… you claim you've formed a true contract with my little sister. Should I really believe that?"
Subaru flashed a determined smile, planting his feet solidly on the floor. "Of course! We're a team now, right Beako? We've promised not to abandon each other, no matter what happens."
Beatrice paused, closing her book softly, then gave Subaru a small but genuine smile. "Yes, I suppose that's true. I've officially made Subaru my contracted mage. 'That person'… is Subaru now."
Puck sighed, rolling his eyes, a mischievous grin forming. "You realize, Subaru, we'll have to talk about the women in my family sooner or later. I might need to give you some… specialized lessons."
That earned a round of soft laughter from everyone, easing the tension in the room. Outside, night had fully fallen, laying a cool, uneasy stillness over the Roswaal Mansion. As the conversation wound down, the group began to rise one by one, ready to retire for the night. Beatrice lingered behind, explaining she wished to spend time with Puck, to catch up on years of separation. Yet she promised Subaru she'd return to his side before long, her presence a small beacon of comfort amid the darkness that still threatened from the shadows.
Hikari had spent most of the day in near-total silence, her wide eyes quietly tracking the movements of the unfamiliar people around her. It wasn't the silence of someone who had nothing to say—it was the silence of someone trying to make sense of a world that didn't yet feel safe. Her quietness didn't stem from fear alone, but from instinct. Every interaction, every gesture, every word spoken around her was measured and analyzed. It was as if her very soul was trying to determine whether this strange place could truly be called a home.
Subaru had been watching her all day, stealing glances between conversations and tasks, noticing how she'd shrink slightly whenever someone new came near. She wasn't frightened, exactly—she was studying. Cautious. But the tension in her small shoulders didn't go unnoticed. And so, when they finally returned to their shared room, he placed a comforting hand on her head and gently patted it.
"Hikari. What do you think of this place?"
The wooden door behind them creaked softly as it shut, muting the faint voices echoing from elsewhere in the mansion. Hikari didn't respond immediately. She took slow steps into the room, her eyes scanning every corner like she was trying to read a hidden language carved into the walls. Her fingers laced together in front of her as she took a slow breath.
"Nii-nii... To be honest, that man named Roswaal scares me. There's something very strange about him. The aura around him—it's wrong. It's not like anyone else's. It feels like... like the body he's using doesn't really belong to him. It's like he's just borrowing it. Even his shadow gives me chills. It's... cold."
Subaru blinked, taken slightly aback by the clarity of her observation. And then, like a bell echoing through a canyon, Flugel's voice stirred within Subaru's mind.
"Hm? So the Authority granted to her by that witch allows her to perceive things on such a deep, metaphysical level... Fascinating," Flugel murmured, his voice a mixture of intrigue and admiration. "I had my suspicions, but this confirms them. The nature of that Authority may be far more nuanced—and dangerous—than I initially believed."
Subaru turned toward Hikari, crouching a little to meet her gaze. His voice lowered, filled with a mix of concern and awe. "Hold on a second... Hikari, how did you sense all of that? Have you experienced anything like this before? I mean, how could you tell something's wrong with Roswaal's body just by looking at him?"
Hikari nodded slowly, her violet eyes calm but serious, steady like a pool of deep water. "After Lunaria gave me this Authority... I began to see things differently. I started seeing people's auras. It's not just colors—it's feelings. When someone is lying, or hiding something bad inside, their aura changes. It gets cloudy, like a storm is building up in their heart. Sometimes it flickers. Sometimes it pulses. It's like watching thunder behind glass."
Subaru exhaled slowly, both astonished and a little disturbed. "That's... incredible. That's way beyond normal support magic. Honestly, it sounds more like a divine gift than anything else. It's not just defensive or passive—it's perceptive. Analytical. You're able to see what people are trying to hide. That's an amazing ability."
Flugel's voice came again, this time more thoughtful. "Indeed... Paired with supportive abilities, healing, and even light offensive potential, this Authority forms a rare and powerful combination. But what makes it truly exceptional are the passive traits—lie detection, spiritual sensitivity, and malevolent intent recognition. Few Authorities in history have offered such a broad range of capabilities."
Subaru gently guided Hikari toward the bed, helping her sit and then lie down as if she were a porcelain figure that might break from the wrong touch. He watched her for a moment, then spoke softly.
"Hikari... does this Authority have a name? Did Lunaria ever mention what it's called?"
Hikari looked up at the ceiling, her eyes distant as she searched her memory. Her brows knit slightly as she shook her head. "No... she didn't say anything like that. But, Onii-chan... can we name it together? I want to choose something with you. Something that's ours."
Subaru blinked, surprised—and touched. Before he could respond, Flugel's voice returned, this time sharper, more precise.
"It already has a name. That Authority is known as the 'Blessing of Revelation.' Speak it to her."
Subaru nodded slowly, then turned back to his sister. "What do you think, Hikari? 'Blessing of Revelation'... Does that sound right to you?"
There was a beat of silence. Then Hikari's face lit up with pure joy. Her eyes shimmered, and a radiant smile spread across her face. "It's perfect! It sounds so... so special! Like something sacred. Yes, that's the name. Let's go with that!"
Subaru chuckled quietly, his expression softening. He reached over and ruffled her hair. "Then it's settled. That's the name. From now on, this power is ours. And we'll protect each other with it."
He pulled the blankets gently over her and wrapped his arms around her in a careful embrace. Hikari nestled against him, her breathing slowing, little sighs of contentment escaping her lips as she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Subaru didn't move right away. He stared at the wooden beams of the ceiling, his mind racing beneath the calm surface. There were still too many unknowns. Lunaria's motives. Roswaal's secrets. The strange way time seemed to twist around them lately. And now, this new power in Hikari's hands—one that could see beyond masks and detect the hearts of others.
He closed his eyes only when the quiet was deep enough to settle his thoughts. Tomorrow would bring new questions.
But for tonight, at least, they had a name. And each other.
His own voice echoed in his mind, firm yet laced with a quiet desperation:
"Flugel... You once told me you didn't know the witch who granted Hikari her Authority. But that's not true, is it? You've been hiding too much from me for too long. I can feel it. I know it. It's time to stop running in circles. Please — at the very least, tell me this much."
Outside, the night had grown thick and heavy, the wind brushing softly, almost mournfully, against the mansion's tall windows. But the true storm wasn't outside. It was in Subaru — swirling, raging, clawing at the walls of his mind. He sought clarity, yet all he found were shadows. The answers he longed for lay buried under centuries of silence.
Flugel exhaled deeply, the sound weighted with something that felt like old regret. His voice, when it came, wavered between fatigue and reluctant honesty. "There are reasons I've kept things from you, idiot. Not because I wanted to. Not entirely. Haaah... whatever. You've earned this much. So listen well."
His words came slowly now, like pages being turned in an ancient, forgotten tome.
"Her name was Lunaria. Her true title, whispered by the few who knew, was the Witch of the Moon. But the truth is... she wasn't a witch in any conventional sense. She had no Witch Factor, not a speck of cursed mana in her being. If anything, she was its opposite. Born under a rare celestial convergence, she came into this world carrying the most untainted form of divine, sacred energy. A miracle child. A being of light. She was a saint — revered for her healing gifts, and more than that, for her intuitive mastery over holy magic. But that light... that purity... it made people uneasy."
His tone grew heavier, roughened by old wounds.
"The powerful, the corrupt, the fearful — they all saw her not as salvation, but as a threat to their dominion. To their control. Even her ability to heal became something sinister in their eyes. Whispers turned to accusations. They twisted her image. Called her a witch, a deceiver. Her miracles became curses in the eyes of the mob. The people she once prayed for, the lives she saved, turned against her. Fueled by lies and fear, they dragged her from her sanctuary and executed her in the streets. Stoned to death. And no one raised a hand to stop them."
A long silence followed. When Flugel spoke again, it was with a reverence rarely heard in his voice.
"But Lunaria's soul... it did not pass on. Her sacred energy was so concentrated, so overwhelming, that her spirit refused to scatter. Instead, it lingered. And over time, it changed. That immense divine presence crystallized into something else — a form of Authority unlike any born from Witch Factors. I was the one who found her body, cold and broken. I buried her where no man could tread, far from the hands that had betrayed her. But even in death, her essence remained. And slowly, that essence evolved. What emerged was not a curse, but something closer to a celestial imprint. A resonance of Od Laguna itself."
Flugel paused, letting the words sink in.
"If you're familiar with Divine Protections, like the ones Reinhard holds... this is similar. But not the same. Those are gifts. Bestowed freely. What Lunaria's Authority became — that was no gift. It was forged in torment, shaped by the suffering of a soul who only ever wanted to heal."
Subaru blinked, trying to calm the spin of his thoughts. His pulse thundered in his ears.
"A sacred Authority... So if something like that truly exists... why Hikari? Why her, of all people?"
The room fell into stillness. And when Flugel finally broke the silence, his voice had grown grim — darker than before.
"Because someone else wanted it. Pandora. Yes, that Pandora. The entire tragedy surrounding Lunaria's death — it wasn't spontaneous. It was orchestrated. Every rumor, every accusation, every spark of public outrage... all meticulously crafted by her. She feared Lunaria. But more than that, she wanted what Lunaria would become. And since she couldn't capture the Authority while Lunaria lived, she did the next best thing — she waited. For centuries. Watching. Planning. Searching. She knew the Authority hadn't vanished — only lain dormant, waiting for a vessel.."
Images flashed through Subaru's mind — disjointed, sharp, painful. His sister's voice, barely audible, trembling with terror. Her cries...
" Hikari called out. Perhaps not with words, but with her soul. And somehow, Lunaria heard. Her slumbering spirit stirred. Maybe she remembered the prayers she once offered in solitude. Maybe she saw in Hikari a reflection — a purity she had once embodied. Or maybe it was simply fate. Whatever the reason... in that fragile, fleeting instant, the sacred Authority awakened. And it chose her."
Flugel's gaze grew distant, as though he were watching that moment unfold again before his mind's eye.
"The Authority passed into Hikari. Not through bloodline. Not through design. But through resonance — soul to soul. Pain to innocence. Now, she carries that legacy. That burden. She is the heir to Lunaria."
He looked directly at Subaru then, voice low.
"And that makes her more than a target. It makes her a symbol — of what was lost, and what still might be saved. The Witch of the Moon... lives again, in your sister."
Subaru gazed at Hikari, peacefully asleep in his arms, her breathing slow and even. Despite her small, fragile frame, the burden she now bore was one that defied comprehension. She had always been special — curious, bright, innocent — but now, she was more than that. She was chosen. And with that came a weight Subaru wished with all his heart she never had to carry. An ache unfurled in his chest, foreign and sharp. It wasn't just worry — it was something deeper, more desperate. A need to shield her from everything, even from truths she didn't yet understand.
He brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek, fingertips light, almost reverent. The motion, though gentle, stirred something in him — a quiet grief, a profound sadness that words couldn't fully express. He held her a little tighter, as if that would somehow guard her from the echoes of fate.
"Thank you for telling me, Flugel," he murmured into the silence. "And... hearing that all of this was yet another one of Pandora's twisted games doesn't even surprise me anymore. That place she dragged you into after her death... and how she still remembered you when you came back — it's unsettling. It's like nothing truly ends with her."
Flugel didn't answer. A dense silence settled in, like fog blanketing their minds. But somehow, in that silence, Subaru felt something shift. Not everything needed to be spoken aloud. Some truths hung in the air, wordless but undeniable. And sometimes, that was enough.
His eyes grew heavier with every passing moment. With a long, quiet sigh, he allowed his head to sink into the pillow, letting the steady rhythm of Hikari's breath lull him. The night would stretch on, long and uncertain. Maybe sleep would come. Maybe not. But now, at least, he held a few more pieces of the puzzle — enough to make the darkness feel less suffocating.
The night itself seemed to pause, wrapped in silence. But within that silence, the truths that had surfaced did not fade. They echoed quietly, deeper than dreams, reverberating in places sleep could never touch.
When dawn arrived, it did so gently. Pale light slipped through the parted curtains, painting the wooden floor with the soft gray of early morning. Subaru stirred, eyes blinking open with reluctance. Sleep still clung to his limbs, the quiet haze of dreams not yet fully shaken away.
Turning to his left, he was greeted by the peaceful sight of Beatrice curled up beside him. Her breathing was light and steady. Golden curls spilled across the pillow like threads of sunlight, her small face softened by sleep. Something bloomed in Subaru's chest — a warmth that was quiet, content, and unexpectedly fragile. He didn't want to wake her. Judging by the book half-tucked under her arm, she had likely read until exhaustion claimed her. Smiling faintly, Subaru rolled onto his other side, moving gently so as not to disturb her.
There lay Hikari, still nestled beneath the blanket, her little frame curled like a kitten. Her brow was smooth, lips parted slightly in the quiet of restful sleep. Subaru watched her for a few moments, committing the serenity of her expression to memory. It wouldn't last forever — he knew that. She'd wake soon. Their routine, forged during their time in Kararagi, would call to her. Those two months of pre-dawn training had become more than habit. They were a way of anchoring themselves — to discipline, to strength, to something they could control.
With practiced ease, Subaru slid out of bed. The cold floor made him flinch as his bare feet touched stone, but he welcomed it — a reminder he was still here, still moving forward. He dressed quickly, moving with quiet precision, and stepped into the corridor, where the morning air was crisp and still.
He hadn't taken more than a few steps when a familiar voice called out.
"Subaru-nii! Good morning! Did you sleep well?"
It was Petra, her tone bright and full of energy. She stood at the end of the hallway, arms behind her back, cheeks slightly pink from the chill.
Subaru gave a sleepy smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, Petra. I slept fine. Thanks for asking."
She nodded enthusiastically, bouncing on her heels. Then, with a touch of nervousness, she stepped a little closer. "Um... Subaru-nii, can I ask something? Do you think Hikari-chan might want to be my friend?"
Her voice was small, but hopeful.
Subaru knelt down, bringing himself to eye level with her. He smiled warmly. "Why don't you ask her? She's still new here, and probably a bit overwhelmed... but I think she'd really like you. Honestly, who wouldn't? You're kind, thoughtful, and you always try your best. That's the kind of friend anyone would be lucky to have."
Petra's eyes lit up, wide with excitement. "Then... I'll be her friend today! I'll do my best!"
Subaru laughed, the sound light and genuine. He reached out and gave her hair a playful ruffle. "That's the spirit. She's lucky to have someone like you around."
As Petra skipped away down the hall, Subaru continued on. The corridor opened up near the end, revealing a tall window that overlooked the training grounds outside. The field glistened with dew, blades of grass shimmering in the early light. A soft breeze drifted in through the crack of a nearby window, bringing with it the scent of damp earth and fresh air.
He paused for a moment, hand resting on the windowsill.
"Morning training... Can't be late. If I lose momentum now, the whole day'll be off balance."
With that, he stood a little straighter, squared his shoulders, and stepped forward — toward the field, toward the rhythm of discipline, and the quiet promise of another day beginning.
Just then, a familiar and commanding voice reverberated in Subaru's mind. It was unmistakably Flugel.
"You must not deviate from your routine," Flugel declared, his voice carrying a metallic certainty that left no room for argument. "Discipline is the foundation of all progress. Let your guard down for even one day, and your momentum begins to slip."
Subaru let out a soft sigh, mostly to himself. "I know that... I really do. But some mornings, you just want a few extra minutes in bed."
"You should not seek excuses to forgive idleness," Flugel replied firmly, without hesitation. "You should seek reasons to grow stronger, even when you are weary. Especially when you are weary."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Subaru's mouth. Once, words like that would've irritated him—now, they stirred something in him. Something sharper, more focused. He could feel himself changing.
He descended the stairs slowly, each step lighter than the last, until he reached the mansion's front doors. As he stepped outside, the morning air greeted him like a splash of cold water. Crisp and clean, it swept across his skin and forced him into full wakefulness. He took a deep breath, letting the freshness fill his lungs and clear the haze from his mind.
His shoes crunched lightly against the damp soil as he made his way toward the training ground. The early morning mist still clung to the earth, and the faint scent of dew-laced grass reminded him that the day was only just beginning.
In the distance, a silhouette moved with fluid grace. Elsa. She was already stretching, every motion purposeful and deliberate. Her body moved with a precision honed by years of combat—no wasted energy, no unnecessary flair. The strength in her posture was quiet but unmistakable.
"You're up early, Elsa," Subaru called out, his voice carrying across the open space.
Elsa turned her head slightly, just enough to shoot him a sidelong glance. There was a playful gleam in her eyes. "Ara? I thought you'd sleep in until noon, like old times. Don't tell me the lazy Kararagi boy finally learned how to rise with the sun. Huhuhu~"
Subaru rolled his eyes but grinned. "People change, you know. Shocking, right?" There was a spark of determination in his tone, subtle but unmistakable.
Without another word, he joined her. They moved together through stretches and warm-ups, their breathing falling into a natural rhythm. The air between them was calm but charged—two warriors preparing not just their bodies, but their minds.
Then, with a sudden flicker of movement, Elsa drew her twin daggers. Her eyes lit up with anticipation. "Duel?"
Subaru answered with a single wink as Duskveil appeared in his hands. The dark, ethereal daggers shimmered with a strange glow beneath the morning sun. "Of course~ Rules?"
The air shifted. Elsa's presence intensified. Her aura flared to life—dense, almost suffocating, like the coiling of a predator before the strike. Even the wind seemed to hush.
"No killing. And the first to remain still for more than five seconds loses."
Subaru's heart thudded in his chest. This wasn't some idle sparring session. It was a challenge. A test. He welcomed it.
Both of them moved into fighting stances. The ground beneath their feet seemed to vibrate with tension. A bead of sweat slid down Subaru's temple, not from fear—but from sheer anticipation.
Elsa lunged forward with blinding speed.
Subaru responded instantly. His hand shot forward, mana rippling through the air like a silent roar.
"Murak! Times Ten!"
For a brief moment, everything went still. Then, Elsa's momentum faltered as her feet left the ground. Her body lifted upward, drifting a few feet above the earth. Her eyes widened in confusion.
"Huh?! W-What is this?!"
Subaru let out a quiet chuckle. "I win."
Elsa floated midair, arms lightly tensed. She frowned deeply, frustration flickering across her face. "That's cheating! Who uses gravity magic in a friendly duel?! Bring me down right now!"
Subaru shrugged, still amused. "Hey, I'm not just a dagger guy anymore. Magic's part of my arsenal now."
The truth was, in the last two months, he had undergone a transformation. With Beatrice's guidance, he had entered a pact that allowed him access to structured magical training. He had learned to control his mana, to understand the intricate language of spells. Murak and vita for gravitational manipulation. Minya for reinforcement. Each spell brought him closer to becoming something more—someone capable.
He slowly lowered Elsa to the ground, using the same flow of magic. Her boots touched the earth with a soft thud. Though she kept her arms crossed and lips pursed in mock annoyance, there was a new gleam in her eyes.
Respect.
She couldn't ignore how far Subaru had come.
As the golden rays of sunlight stretched across the training field, casting long shadows behind them, the morning finally arrived in full.
They said nothing. There was no need to. The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was mutual understanding. An unspoken agreement that this was just the beginning. A promise to keep growing, keep pushing, and keep fighting.
And beneath that quiet sky, two warriors prepared for the day ahead, side by side.